Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-21
THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.


THE GOTERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Gov. Ross first message Is given to the
public this morning. 1t does not suffer
IN the least by comparison with similar
papers of mis- predecessors. 1t is an elab-
Grafton of the thoughts presented in his
inaugural address, ana deals with ques
tions that must engage the attention of
the lawmakers for the good of the state.
The inadequate and false renditions of
values to assessors by property owners
that is so general throughout the state
is pointed out, and remedy suggested
by allowing assessors and boards Of
equalization to fix values for taxation.
Recommendations are made that laws be
enacted to prohibit the removal of per-
sonsl property from the state to es-
cape taXation-a thrust at the al
legged practices of cattlemen who
drive their stock into the Indian
Territory during the assessors
rounds; also, that provision be made to
collect taxes in case of insolvency, where
the estate was solvent at the time of rel
dering property for taxation; and that a
constitutional amendment be adopted, if
necessary, to enable the state to make q
better title to lands sold az tax sales.
| While it is admitted that it would tie
desirable to confne convicts in prison
walls, the governor does not think that
practicable at present. The penitentiary
should be made self-supporting. A re-
formatory prison would relieve the peni-
Tertiary Of 400 inmates, and should be
established. The experiment of working
convicts on public roads the governor
thinks is worth trial.
Public lands should be classified, and
those not needed for agriculture at pres
ent, leased Internationally for short
terms.
| The need of a quarantine law to pro-
tect our stock interests against the intro
duction of contagious diseases is pointed
out and its enactment urged. An agri-
cultural bureau is suggested in way to
show the governors concurrence with
that idea.
The propriety is suggested of consti-
| tutional amendment to increase the eff
cheney OF the state courts, that justice
may be more speedily administered also,
Of an amendment to prohibit the manu-
facture and sale of Intoxicating liquors.
The attachment law is condemned as
offering room for fraud, and its amend
ment asked for.
Railway pooling is strongly condemned,
and the enactment of laws asked for to
prohibit it, making the violation of those
laws felony.
This is synopsis of the message, as
briefly as it can be outlined. 1t is writ.
ten in a spirit of fairness and justice to
all interests, and must call for the ap-
proval of all who ask only equality before
the laws without special privileges.
The legislature is now the custodian of
the governors conscience in public mat
tiers. He has told the representatives of
the people what measures he thinks are
best for the relief Of present wrongs, the
correction of prevailing abuses, and the
promotion of the general good. He. him
self, is but an agent to carry out the laws
as they are, and as they are Interpreted to
him. Responsibility attaches to author
ity, and it ought to be conversely true,
that authority accompanies RESPONSIBLE
lty. The governor is expected to do great
things, and the legislature should see to
1t that ne is given the authority to carry
out the policies that he recommends.
Then, committing the conduct of affairs
to his hands, We have but to wait and see
what We have CARED.